On the Capacity of a CSMA-Based Multi-Hop Linear Network with Poisson Distributed Nodes

In this paper we consider a multi-hop ad hoc network where nodes are distributed according to a Poisson point process (PPP) over a line. A slotted Carrier Sense Multiple Access protocol is used to transmit data from a source to a destination node, through multiple relays. Due to the hidden terminal node problem interferences are present and reduce the network capacity. Performance is evaluated in terms of mean ergodic capacity of the generic link. Results show that there exists an optimum value of nodes' density maximizing the performance and this value changes when varying the source-destination distance.